title: Vitamin A intervention: short-term effects of a single, oral, massive dose on iron metabolism.
abstract: A group of 134 school children aged 3-9 y, with signs of conjunctival xerosis, from the rural area of the Sakorn Nakhon province in Northeast Thailand were selected for a controlled study on the short-term effect (2 wk) of a single, oral high dose of vitamin A on iron metabolism. After collection of the baseline data, children within villages were randomly assigned to receive the capsules (n = 65) or serve as control subjects (n = 69). Two weeks after supplementation significant increases of retinol, retinol-binding protein, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, and saturation of transferrin were found in the supplemented group. Ferritin concentrations did not change significantly. These short-term changes completely exclude seasonal effects and change in morbidity. This study provides further evidence of a causal association between vitamin A and iron metabolism. In areas where vitamin A deficiency is endemic, periodic massive vitamin A dose programs can also improve iron status of the population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, TNO-CIVO Toxicology and Nutrition Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bloem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wedel
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: van Agtmaal
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Speek
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saowakontha
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Schreurs
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012424:Rural Population; D013785:Thailand; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D007501:Iron